Pharmacokinetic comparisons of hydroxysafflower yellow A in normal and blood stasis syndrome rats

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Safflower is a popular Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to invigorate the blood and dispel 'blood stasis', which arises from poor blood circulation. The differences of pharmacokinetic properties between normal and blood stasis syndrome rats were seldom reported.

Aim of the study: The present study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of hydroxysafflower yellow A (HSYA) following oral administration of hydroxysafflower yellow A and safflower extract with approximately the same dose of HSYA 100mg/kg in both normal and acute blood stasis rats.

Materials and methods: The animals were orally administered with HYSA monomer and safflower extract. The blood samples were collected according to the time schedule. The concentrations of HSYA in rat plasma were determined by HPLC. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated from the plasma concentration versus time data using non-compartmental methods.

Results: It was found that AUC(0-t), C(max), Vd and CL of HSYA in both HSYA monomer and safflower extract in acute blood stasis rats were with significant difference (P<0.05) comparing with that in normal rats.

Conclusions: The results indicated that HSYA was with high uptake and eliminated slowly in the animals with blood stasis syndrome, suggesting that the rate and extent of drug metabolism was altered in acute blood stasis animals.